Are you proficient in multiple languages but financially struggling? Utilize your multilingual abilities to earn a satisfactory income online.
As globalization began, the need for language skills has continued to increase. To access broader markets in various countries, multinational organizations and corporations require translators.
Can you work online as a translator
Working as an online translator is a way to earn money. Translators are needed by authors to expand their audience worldwide. By offering your language proficiency online, you can cater to numerous companies and authors who seek to make their content appealing to international clients.
To expedite the process of earning money online, consider providing your translation services to clients. Despite the existence of various translation software, machines are incapable of replicating human abilities. The presence of translators is essential in adding a personal touch to the content, ensuring its appeal to the intended audience.
Ways to make money online as a translator
When considering how to make money online, think about practical ways to utilize your bilingual skills.
1. Translate blogs
Many international organizations and corporations maintain blogs in various languages, however, in order to expand their reach to a diverse audience across different nationalities, they employ translators who are native speakers or possess a strong understanding of the language. In addition to language proficiency, these corporations also seek translators with other writing skills, such as SEO expertise, to enhance their competitive advantage in the market.
Are you proficient in blogging and possess translation skills? If so, consider extending your services to others, as translators play a crucial role in conveying the meaning of the content they translate.
2. Translate web content
Corporations frequently utilize different translation software to convert their websites, enabling visitors to switch to a language they comprehend. Nevertheless, your services are required to revise and amend these contents in order to make them appealing to their international audiences.
3. Speech translation
Entrepreneurs who have business overseers are occasionally invited to give speeches on an international scale. In such cases, they frequently employ online translators to ensure that their speech communicates the intended message effectively and is comprehensible to the intended audience.
4. Translating reviews
International corporations frequently release reviews in order to educate customers about specific aspects of their products. Undoubtedly, they will require your assistance to ensure these reviews are comprehensible.
5. Translating product description
By thinking step by step, you can rephrase the text below while retaining the same meaning. Remember not to add new information or remove any information. Product descriptions serve as the basis for customer’s purchasing decisions, yet these descriptions fail to benefit customers when they are presented in an unfamiliar language. Utilize your bilingual skills to earn money online by translating product descriptions.
6. Translate travel guides
Traveling is loved by people from all walks of life, and they might require a travel guide in their own language. To fulfill this need, tourism companies seek freelance translators. Your skills can be beneficial in earning money online from anywhere you are.
7. Translating royalties
Are you confident in your linguistic skills? You have the opportunity to earn money by translating a book online. By agreeing with the writer, you can earn translation royalties which entitle you to a portion of the sales for every book sold.
Despite the challenge of gaining a client’s trust due to writers’ reluctance to entrust their work to others, it is advisable to take a proactive approach. The effort required to secure a job is justified by the rewarding compensation, thus one should persevere and actively seek out potential clients.
8. Live translation jobs
The demand for real-time translators is on the rise as various sectors such as international business, police departments, and organizations seek proficient foreign language speakers to assist them in translating or interpreting interviews or business meetings via online platforms.
Even if you are not physically present at a meeting, you can still use your skills to earn money. You will receive a Zoom link and can join the call to provide real-time translation. If you have expertise in a specific field, you can focus on live online translation. The more specialized you are in your translation skills, the more you can charge for your services. Have you considered creating a website to display your skills?
9. Sell translated pieces
If you have previously translated documents or articles that may be of interest to individuals or companies, you have the opportunity to earn money by selling the content of these pieces. While most translators focus on translating existing articles, you can stand out by producing original content in a foreign language and selling it to clients who aim to enhance their websites.
If the text is not protected by copyright laws, you can translate reports, poems, short stories, songs, glossaries, and classical texts and sell them online by publishing them in an eBook.
Platforms for freelance translators
Freelance platforms offer convenient opportunities for securing online translation jobs. These platforms serve as intermediaries connecting freelance translators with clients who require translation services.
To begin, you establish a profile on these platforms where you display your skills and present your qualifications for available jobs. Although the platform deducts a percentage of your earnings as a commission, it serves as an excellent method to commence your career and connect with potential clients.
There are several platforms with which you can register with.
1. Blend (Previously one hour translation)
Founded in 2008, Blend (previously called One Hour Translation) is a globally accessible online platform for human translation services. The company operates from offices in Los Angeles, Shanghai, Bucharest, and Tel Aviv, and boasts of over 25,000 translators, who refer to themselves as BLENDers. They offer translation opportunities in over 120 languages.
The range of jobs available in Blend is not confined to just translation; you have the opportunity to work as a bilingual editor, proofreader, content writer, voice over artist, and many other roles. Explore the possibilities of utilizing your linguistic abilities with Blend. The process of applying is simple.
2. Translate.com
Translate.com, which was established in 2011, stands as one of the world’s largest professional translation companies presently. Based in Chicago (USA), it offers translation opportunities for more than 90 languages.
3. Gengo
Gengo, a web-based translation company established in 2008, is currently based in Tokyo, Japan. The company asserts a customer satisfaction rating of 97.6%, has translated more than 1 billion words, and boasts a customer base of over 65,000.
4. Unbabel
Unbabel, a translation agency, established itself in 2013 and presently operates from multiple headquarters in Lisbon, Portugal, and San Francisco, California. Unlike most platforms on this list that compensate based on project completion, Unbabel offers hourly pay.
The longer you dedicate to translating on the platform, the higher your potential earnings can be. Your payment will be determined by an algorithm that considers your translation speed and the quality of your work, with rates ranging from $8 to $18.
If you want to work with Unbabel, you are welcome to visit them here.
5. Rev (formerly FoxTranscribe and FoxTranslate)
Rev, a company founded in 2010, is an American speech-to-text company that offers closed captioning, subtitles, and transcription services to clients worldwide. With its headquarters in Austin, Rev provides employment opportunities to over 50,000 independent transcriptionists.
The earnings of an average foreign transcriptionist vary depending on the target language being translated, but typically amount to around $958 per month.
6. TextMaster
Founded in 2011, TextMaster was subsequently acquired by the Acolad group in March of 2018. Offering professional translation, web content writing, and proofreading services, the company serves numerous clients globally. With over 10,000 clients, TextMaster handles translation projects in over 150 languages.
7. Global voices
Founded in 2004, Global Voices offers international translation and interpretation services. According to the company, it currently has a network of more than 9,000 linguists, 14 accreditations, and provides a variety of services in over 150 languages.
8. Stepes
Stepes is a translation service that was established in San Francisco, California in December 2015. It utilizes TermWiki.com, a multilingual terminology platform containing numerous technical terms translated into over 100 languages.
